[Red Moon]

Cowell’s fury at on-air bust-up: Don’t you ever show me up like that again he rants at Danni

ACTOR judge Dannii Minogue has had a furious bust-up with Simon Cowell.

They clashed off-screen last Saturday after Dannii accused Simon of singling her acts out for criticism.

The 37-year-old singer also accused Simon of ignoring her during ad breaks – and was overheard asking Cowell during one break: “What’s your problem?”

Cowell replied: “I haven’t got one, you have.”

The row strayed into the open during the live 10pm results show, when last year’s winner Leon Jackson performed his debut single Don’t Call This Love.

Dannii – who mentored Leon, 19, to success last year – told viewers pointedly: “I just wanted to say I’m so proud. And I have to add Simon did not discover Leon. He didn’t want him in the competition. But you rock, my friend.”

The comments enraged Cowell, who later told Dannii off- camera: “Don’t you ever show me up like that again.”

Dannii and Cowell became close last year when he picked her to join the show.
Speculation about their relationship intensified when they were pictured holding hands while sharing a cab home after the BBC’s Children in Need.

TV host Fearne Cotton also claimed she caught Cowell squeezing the Aussie singer’s thigh under the judges table An X Factor source said: “All the focus recently has been on the rivalry between Dannii and fellow judge Cheryl Cole. But the real story is Dannii’s relationship with Simon.

“Simon could barely hide his disdain for Dannii’s acts on Saturday. He was rolling his eyes during Rachel’s performance and then he forgot Ruth’s name. Simon is a pro. He doesn’t make mistakes like that unless he’s trying to stick the knife in.”

Earlier in the evening Cowell slammed Dannni’s over-25s acts, singling mum-of-five Rachel Hylton out for the worst criticism.

He laid the blame at Dannii’s door for Rachel’s under-performance, criticising Dannii’s choice of song for her.

He said: “It was like putting lemonade instead of petrol in a Ferrari.”

An X Factor insider said: “The truth is tensions between Dannii and Simon have been brewing for a while. But things are now being played out in front of a live audience, rather than behind closed doors.

“Simon will be furious he is being dragged into this by Dannii. And if his past behaviour is anything to go by he won’t sit back and do nothing.

“As far as he’s concerned no-one in X Factor is indispensable. He’s pretty ruthless when it comes to wielding the axe.”

It is the second time Dannii has fallen out with Cowell.

Last month the Sunday Mirror revealed how she threatened to quit the show because she was jealous of the attention Cheryl Cole was being given.

In a furious showdown with Cowell, she warned him she would walk if she wasn’t given more camera time.

Source:Daily Mirror